West Seattle, Washington

08 Friday

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year : 2023 3682 results

WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY SCENE: Caroling for a cause
December 23, 2023 12:01 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

If you’re in The Junction shopping/dining, you might hear the holiday sounds of We Carolers 3 – they’re busking on the northeast corner of California/Alaska, raising money for local food banks, until 1 pm.

P.S. If you missed them, here’s how to donate money to local food banks: West Seattle Food Bank here, White Center Food Bank here.

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WHALES: Southern Resident orcas off West Seattle – for a while
December 23, 2023 11:26 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

11:26 AM: Orcas from J-Pod are off West Seattle, per text from Kersti Muul – southbound off Alki Point as of about 15 minutes ago. Let us know if you see them!

11:55 AM: They’re now northbound.

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20 notes for your pre-holiday West Seattle Saturday!
December 23, 2023 6:12 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Newest image from SDOT’s West Seattle Junction camera)

Welcome to the long holiday weekend! Another two-part event list – first, the Christmas Eve-Eve happenings, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

(canceled) SANTA AT WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY: Santa Claus’s traditional pre-Christmas visits to West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) conclude, 10 am-1 pm.

THE CHRISTMAS PEOPLE NEED COOKIES: “The Christmas People are once again asking for home-baked cookies for distribution to homeless and other marginalized people in our midst. Home-baked cookies may be brought to West Seattle Coworking, 9030 35th Ave SW, today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

WE CAROLERS 3: Busking for monetary donations to West Seattle and White Center Food Banks, 11 am-1 pm on the corner by Cupcake Royale (NE corner of California and Alaska)

POP-UP #1: “The Little Merle reimagined and upcycled jewelry will be available for their last pop-up of 2023. Stop by Swan Dive (4537 California Ave) from 11-6 for last-minute gifts and special stocking stuffers.”

GARY BENSON AT THRIFTWAY: Live holiday music at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) with Gary Benson, 11:30 am-2:30 pm.

POP-UP #2: Cascadia Wicks will be at Future Primitive Alki (2536 Alki SW) noon-4 pm.

GIFT WRAPPING: 1-4 pm at The Discovery Shop, 4535 California Avenue SW:

The Clay Cauldron hosts gift wrapping by donation. We provide the wrapping of your gift purchases, tags and bows included. A percentage of the funds raised will be given to the American Cancer Society for cancer research.

COCOA CRIS CRINGLE: Don’t miss his annual visit to Easy Street Records for “foto fun,” 4-8 pm. $20, kids and pets welcome. (4559 California SW)

ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show starts at 5 pm on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. Admission prices vary – tickets and info here.

‘SNOWED IN’ SOLD OUT: ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) oresents the closing performance of its holiday show – no tickets left.

*************And these are the non-holiday happenings, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE GROUP RUN: Start your Saturday with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run! All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.

HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event.

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Try the first-ever sparkling wine!

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM CLOSED: The home of West Seattle history is on holiday break.

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar open 1-8 pm, north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

BURGERS & BEATS: Saturday night food and music at Revelry Room – burgers start at 6, DJs at 9. (4547 California SW, alley side)

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or holiday-season happening, or ? If the community’s welcome, get your event on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: White Center Food Bank unwraps mural as it moves into new HQ
December 22, 2023 9:54 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

The White Center Food Bank – which also serves part of West Seattle – is moving into its new home, and sent these photos to show off its new mural:

The mural’s lead artists are Jake Prendez (of South Delridge’s Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery) and Rafa Diaz; community members assisted. WCFB spokesperson Randy Nguyen says, “We’re so excited to be in our new spot. Our expected date of opening to the public is January 8th.” They’re also planning a grand-opening party for January 12. The building at 10016 16th SW has been undergoing renovations since last March; they had to move from their longtime county-owned location at 8th/108th because it’s being redeveloped. You can read more about the new WCFB site here.

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TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Display with plenty of character(s)
December 22, 2023 6:58 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Tonight’s photo is from Jeff Keller, who says, “Santas, Snoopys, and Snowmen at 5420 40th Ave. SW. For the young and the young at heart. Merry Christmas.” This joins all the other homes we’ve shown this season, in this WSB archive you can scroll through; thanks again to everyone who’s sent displays, theirs and others – not too late for more suggestions at westseattleblog@gmail.com!

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Jamie Kinney’s first photo show
December 22, 2023 4:33 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Next time you go to Bakery Nouveau in The Junction, take a look at the walls as well as at the cases full of treats. You’ll see photos by Jamie Kinney, a West Seattle photographer who has contributed many images to WSB over the years. (That’s Jamie, above, in a photo taken at Don Armeni Boat Ramp by his son Owen Kinney.) We asked him for one of his favorites; he sent this owl-in-cherry-blossoms image published here last year.

The Bakery Nouveau exhibition is Jamie’s first photo show; the framed prints on display are available for purchase (there’s a QR code next to each one), and he’s also selling photo calendars via his website. Next year, Jamie plans to start offering workshops in the field – his first one will be a wildlife-photography workshop in British Columbia in July. (Registration information will appear on his website soon.)

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BIZNOTE: New local bubbly for holiday celebrations
December 22, 2023 2:40 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

(Photo courtesy Viscon Cellars)

Drink local! New in time for Christmas dinner and New Year’s toasts, West Seattle’s Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) has debuted a sparkling wine. Winemaker Ben Viscon says it’s their first-ever sparkling wine. You can read about it here. It’s available through the Viscon Cellars tasting room/wine bar, which is open 5-9 pm today and 1-6 pm tomorrow (Saturday, December 23rd), 5-9 pm next Thursday and Friday (December 28-29) and 1-6 pm next Saturday (December 30), at 5910 California SW.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Taste of Mumbai almost ready to open
December 22, 2023 12:40 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(WSB photo)

That’s a peek inside Taste of Mumbai, about to open at 2300 California SW, former longtime home of Yen Wor Village. We went over today to check on a reader tip that they’re about to open. Indeed they are, they told us – with a buffet on Christmas Day (Monday, December 25), 10 am-10 pm. After that, they’ll be open starting Tuesday (December 26), 4 pm-10 pm. They’re not ready to open the bar yet, though, but as soon as they do, they promise they’re bringing back karaoke (a Yen Wor staple). Here’s our October story with more on the plan for Taste of Mumbai, which previously had operated from a group-kitchen facility in The Triangle.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Teenage suspects charged in Alki/Beach Drive robbery, carjacking attempts
December 22, 2023 10:40 am
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(SPD dash-cam image from charging documents, showing pursued vehicle knocking down road markers)

10:40 AM: The three teenagers arrested Monday night after a police pursuit that followed three West Seattle incidents are now charged.

All three are scheduled for arraignment at 1:30 pm today on three charges each, according to the documents we received from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office early this morning. We are not naming them because they are charged as juveniles. Each is charged with one count of first-degree attempted robbery and one count of second-degree robbery; Suspects #1 and #3, 14 and 16 years old, are each charged with second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission, while suspect #2, 14, is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.

The narrative in the charging documents says the three calls came in to 911 within the span of eight minutes just before 10 pm on Monday – first 2800 block of Alki, then 59th/Admiral, then 5700 block of Beach Drive. All listed similar descriptions of the people involved and a “silver vehicle.” One officer saw a silver Hyundai U-turning on Beach Drive while he was responding to the Beach Drive call – the victim pointed to it and he asked “is that them?” – and the pursuit began shortly after that. The driver – allegedly 14-year-old Suspect #1 (identified later via a specific piece of clothing seen on dash-cam video) – subsequently led officers on a chase at – as we reported that night – speeds up to 90 mph, before police deployed a “tire deflator device,” which led to them stopping and running near the north end of Boeing Field.

Here’s what the victims told police about what happened: In the 2800 block of Alki, he left his workplace and crossed the street to his parked car, and when starting to open it was approached by a masked person who said “give me your car, I have a gun.” He closed and locked his car and ran away back to his workplace to call 911.

At 59th/Admiral, three minutes later, a woman had just parked near her home and was responding to a text message when someone started banging on her car windows. She backed out of the space in a panic – reportedly hitting the suspects’ car in the process; as she drove away, she told police, they pursued her, but she lost them.

In the 5700 block of Beach Drive, the victim had just walked back to her car after viewing Christmas lights when “three males … swarmed” her, police wrote, demanding “give me the keys, give me the car.” One went into her car and stole her phone as well as one belonging to a friend who had accompanied her. She fled to a nearby house, tried to seek help “but was unsuccessful,” went back to her car figuring they were gone, but they weren’t; she said one grabbed her legs and threatened to shoot her, before they took her key fob and fled. Police were on the way because a witness had called, hearing the victim scream.

The charging documents do not include information about where the suspects live. Online records do not show previous cases for any of them. They continue to be held in juvenile detention; that will be reviewed again when they are arraigned this afternoon, and we’ll update.

8:50 PM: All pleaded not guilty at their arraignments today, and Judge Nelson Lee ordered all three to remain in juvenile detention. That will be reviewed again when they return to court January 3rd.

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WEST SEATTLE FRIDAY: 17 notes!
December 22, 2023 8:41 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Hints of Vashon through the fog – photographed by Robert Kosara)

As we get ready to head into a long holiday weekend, here’s what’s happening, from listings in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

DROP OFF HOMEMADE COOKIES: Baking cookies for The Christmas People? Today’s the first of three days you can drop off your cookie donations – West Seattle Coworking (9010 35th SW; WSB sponsor), 10 am-5 pm.

FINAL DAY & OPEN PLAY: This is the last day of operations for Outer Space Seattle (2820 Alki SW), offering open play 10 am=8 pm.

FREE HOT LUNCH: All welcome, 11:30 am-12:30 pm at The Junction Church (4157 California SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT THRIFTWAY: Live holiday music at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) with Alex Baird, 12-3 pm, and Gary Benson, 3:30-5:30 pm.

SCRABBLE CLUB: Play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room and wine bar on the north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) is open 1 pm-8 pm.

SANTA AT WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY: Santa Claus’s traditional pre-Christmas visits to West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) continue 2-5 pm today.

PARTY AT LAUREN’S JEWELRY: 3-6 pm, have some snacks and bubbly with your shopping at Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton).

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Try the fall-release red wines, and stock up for Christmas/New Year’s!

ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus continues tonight, 5 pm. Timed tickets and pricing info here.

THE SOUNDTRACK OF RESILIENCE: Fundraising concert to raise money for making an album – pianist Edelmar Obenza, plus cellist and soprano. 7 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) – details in our calendar listing.

HONEYVILLE RASCALS: Performing live at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm.

SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

CHRISTMAS JAZZ CABARET: At Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds):

Christmas Jazz Cabaret
Friday, December 22, 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Don your festive attire and celebrate the season with a musical evening of singing and dancing! Alki UCC Music Director Stephan Anthony Rawson is the evening’s MC. In addition to his many other talents and accomplishments, Stephen has served as piano coach/music assistant for Jennifer Hudson. Raffle tickets for fun prizes benefit the ministry of Alki UCC. Financial donations also accepted to benefit our local food banks.

HOLIDAY SOUND BATH: 7:30 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $45.

‘SNOWED IN’ SOLD OUT: ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) says the rest of its holiday show’s run is sold out!

DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! Tonight’s DJ: Lady Coco. (4547 California SW)

Something to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday info, as winter begins
December 22, 2023 6:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, December 22 – first full day of winter.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Key forecast point today – the return of rain. Also: Breezy, high in the mid-40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:55 am, and the sun will set at 4:20 pm.

TRANSIT UPDATES + HOLIDAY PREVIEWS

Water Taxi – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you’re wondering where the boat is. Holiday note: NO SERVICE Monday (Christmas Day).

Metro – Regular schedule; check advisories here. Holiday note: SUNDAY SCHEDULE Monday (Christmas Day).

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!

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UPDATE: SFD ‘full response’ in Highland Park
December 22, 2023 2:58 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

2:58 AM: Seattle Fire is arriving at a house in Highland Park (added: 8800 block 9th SW) where a 911 caller reported seeing flames from the basement. Possibly a vacant building, as the incident command has called for “derelict building” protocol.

3:02 AM: The incident commander says it’s a “small fire.” It’s confirmed to be a vacant building.

3:07 AM: The response is being downsized. The fire has just been declared “tapped” (out) and firefighters told dispatch it was actually an exterior fire.

3:11 AM: One more note – our archives indicate it’s the third fire in two months in one block.

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VIDEO: Welcoming winter at Alice Enevoldsen’s solstice sunset watch, with extra reason to be excited about spring
December 22, 2023 1:30 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

Welcome to the first full day of winter! Three hours before the season started with the solstice moment at 7:27 pm Thursday, more than 50 people joined educator/expert skywatcher Alice Enevoldsen for her 59th change-of-seasons sunset watch. This time, those gathered at Solstice Park saw the sun slip behind the tall trees of Lincoln Park across the way:

Key attributes at upper Solstice Park are the paths and stones that align with the sunset on the solstices and equinoxes, so checking out those views was popular just before sunset:

Then it was time for a centerpiece of the sunset watches – Alice’s interactive explanation of the earth’s tilt at solstices and equinoxes, with young volunteer Meredith at the center of the circle, portraying the sun:

Alice also explained how your views of constellations change during the year, responding to an attendee’s question, and talked a bit about the solar eclipse coming up on April 8th – only 20 percent coverage or so in our area, “but a nice partial eclipse,” she said. But before then, her 60th quarterly sunset watch will mark the arrival of spring – be at Solstice Park at 6:30 pm March 19,

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UPDATE: Bicycle rider killed in collision with driver on Marine View Drive
December 21, 2023 6:31 pm
|      98 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

6:31 PM: A man riding a bicycle is seriously hurt after a driver hit him near Marine View Drive and 46th SW just after 6 pm, according to what firefighters are telling doctors at Harborview via radio. The man is described as about 40 years old and will be taken to the hospital.

6:34 PM: Police are on scene and investigating; they told dispatch that the rider’s injuries are life-threatening. We don’t know the driver’s status; we’re going to the scene to try to find out.

7:32 PM: The scene had cleared by the time we got there. We have an inquiry out with SFD regarding the victim but might not be able to learn more about the investigation before tomorrow morning.

7:50 PM: SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells WSB the victim is actually in his mid-60s and was assessed as being in critical condition when transported.

ADDED FRIDAY, 3:41 PM: We finally have confirmation of what a commenter posted last night – that the rider did not survive. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office daily list of death investigations identifies him as 66-year-old Steven Hulsman.

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WHO’S OPEN ON CHRISTMAS? Where to find West Seattle info, and how to add more
December 21, 2023 5:55 pm
|    Comments Off on WHO’S OPEN ON CHRISTMAS? Where to find West Seattle info, and how to add more
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Here’s our annual reminder that it’s not too late to let us know about West Seattle retail hours on Christmas Eve and food/drink businesses’ hours on Christmas Day. All the info we have compiled so far – including the grocery-store hours list for Christmas Eve/Day – is toward the end of our West Seattle Holiday Guide page (which has a list of church services, too, and New Year’s Eve/Day events). Direct link to our first take of the Christmas Day restaurants/bars list is here. We’re still checking for additions; if you can help by providing info, please email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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Brown water in The Junction
December 21, 2023 3:39 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

We’ve received two reports this afternoon of brown water in The Junction. So far no line breaks mapped; other possible causes include hydrant testing and construction. If it happens to you, be sure to report to SPU at 206-386-1800.

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Got Washington State Ferries questions? Online community meetings planned next month
December 21, 2023 2:51 pm
|    Comments Off on Got Washington State Ferries questions? Online community meetings planned next month
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Announced today by Washington State Ferries:

ach year we host two rounds of public meetings to engage and inform those we serve. In January, we are holding two virtual community meetings to offer both midday and evening meeting options. Each meeting will focus on systemwide topics like route service, ferry-system electrification, and the latest from recruitment and workforce development. The remainder of the meetings will be devoted to answering questions from participants.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to provide written public comment during the meeting or beforehand by emailing our Communications team (WSFComms@wsdot.wa.gov).

Register to attend a virtual meeting:
Wednesday, January 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 18 at 6 p.m.


Not mentioned in the announcement but sure to be a topic as well – the impending departure of WSF head Patty Rubstello.

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BIZNOTE: Wells Fargo closing one of its West Seattle branches
December 21, 2023 1:08 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(King County Assessor website photo)

1:08 PM: Thanks to the reader who texted us after receiving a letter from Wells Fargo Bank saying that it’s planning to close its Admiral Junction location. We’ve since confirmed the closure with a Wells Fargo spokesperson, who responded to our inquiry:

Yes, we’ll be closing the Admiral Junction branch at California and Admiral on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Until then, customers can use this branch and bank with us as they always have. After that, they can visit us at our West Seattle branch, approximately 1.39 miles away.

That will leave two of the four corners at California/Admiral vacant unless a buyer/tenant emerges for the southwest corner, where Quality Cleaners closed 3 1/2 years ago. Wells Fargo owns the Admiral building, so we have a followup inquiry out as to whether they plan to sell it or to lease out this space.

2:20 PM: According to WF spokesperson Tony Timmons, “No decisions have been made yet” regarding the future of the 2358 California Avenue SW building.

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DEVELOPMENT: Will this be the 3257 Harbor Avenue SW project that finally gets built?
December 21, 2023 11:11 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(King County Assessor’s Office photo, mid-2010s)

Yet another development proposal has appeared in city files for a Harbor Avenue site that’s had several others in the past decade and a half. The site is 3257 Harbor Avenue SW (also spanning street numbers 3303 and 3315). It was once held by disgraced developer Michael Mastro; in 2007, we mentioned it was being marketed as a potential 80-apartment project. A similar proposal in 2014 went into Design Review, and then two years later, that plan was scrapped and a 32-townhouse plan emerged. That plan went all the way through Design Review and land-use permitting but then went idle.

Most recently, the site was back on the market – as this brochure details – as a potential 115-apartment site, and that’s what the new early-stage filing suggests is being proposed. No other details yet, and county records don’t show a sale (yet), but the document in city files names the developer as Bode, which has two new buildings in West Seattle – 115 apartments at 3050 SW Avalon Way and 75 apartments at 2222 SW Barton. The south end of Harbor Avenue has been something of a development/construction hot spot these past few years, with projects including the 114 apartments that are building at 3405 Harbor plus two self-storage complexes.

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Solstice sunset watch, free skating, Santa, shopping, more for your West Seattle Thursday
December 21, 2023 9:49 am
|    Comments Off on Solstice sunset watch, free skating, Santa, shopping, more for your West Seattle Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Mike Burns)

Here are the Thursday highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

SANTA AT WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY: Santa Claus’s traditional pre-Christmas visits to West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) continue, 10 am-1 pm today.

PRESCHOOLER STORY TIME: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW).

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for an update on where they’re playing today.

GARY BENSON AT WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY: Live holiday music at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) with Gary Benson, 2:30-4:30 pm.

SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH: It’s the unique West Seattle way to observe the change of seasons – educator/expert skywatcher Alice Enevoldsen leads her quarterly gathering at Solstice Park to demonstrate and discuss what the solstice really means and how it works, and to watch the sunset. 3:45-4:45 pm. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, uphill from the tennis courts and P-patch)

THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), Alaska N Dumplings will be visiting.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run.

FREE ROLLER SKATING: Coalition of local youth advocates presents a night of free skating and other fun at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), 5-8 pm.

SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: At least half a dozen Junction shops are keeping their doors open until at least 8 pm! Also, music from Better As Brass at KeyBank Plaza, 6-7:30 pm.

ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, starting at 5 pm. Timed tickets and info here.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Future Primitive Beer Bar (2536 Alki SW) at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.

BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.

SPECIAL CHURCH EVENTS: From the Holiday Guide’s list of seasonal services and other church events, two for tonight:
*Westside Unitarian Universalist (7141 California SW) – 6:30 pm Winter Solstice Celebration in the Social Hall

*West Side Presbyterian (3601 California SW) – 7 pm Longest Night Service

LIVE AT EASY STREET: Record-release show for Student Nurse, 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)

YOGA, BREATH WORK, GONG BATH, MORE: 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.

THE WHALE TRAIL’S GATHERING – SOLD OUT: 7 pm winter gathering of The Whale Trail is sold out.

‘SNOWED IN’ – SOLD OUT: ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) has sold out all remaining tickets!

Planning something that should be on our calendar (or in our Holiday Guide if it’s for Christmas/Kwanzaa/New Year’s)? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: Winter Wander 2023 congratulations, gratitude – and clues/solutions revealed
December 21, 2023 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Winter Wander 2023 congratulations, gratitude – and clues/solutions revealed
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

Again this holiday season, we told you several times about the Winter Wander Scavenger Hunt, organized by Alice Kuder as a fun community event and a boost for local businesses. Alice has sent us her report on how it all turned out:

Now that the snowflakes have settled from this year’s Winter Wander Scavenger Hunt, I’d like to thank the 128 teams of West Seattle Wanderers who sneered at the rain and rejoiced in the sun to embrace the challenge.

Over the course of the 10 days, players scouted out 15 local businesses and 10 decorated homes (above, the Berkowitz-Vargas home) to snap and submit 733 selfies! Altogether, Wanderers racked up 1,407 entries into the prize bag drawing.

Prize donations from local businesses filled four duffle bags with approximately $200 worth of merchandise in each one. The three lucky teams to win the duffles by means of random drawing are: (including those shown above and below) Team Murray, Tata Tochter Time, and Puzzling Pete.

Many teams donated to the local food bank and Toys for Tots to earn extra entries into the prize drawing.

The $100 Grand Prize went to Paxton Phillips (above) for earning the highest number of entries. He accumulated 81 points by solving all 25 clues, submitting a team selfie, and donating 23 cans of food.

This was the fourth year for the Winter Wander Scavenger Hunt. REALTOR® and owner of Just in Case, LLC, Alice Kuder, is the originator and orchestrator of this free annual event. She hopes it is already becoming a West Seattle holiday tradition for all community members to anticipate and enjoy. Winter Wander 2024 will run from December 6-15.

Many thanks to the volunteers who helped make Winter Wander a reality, including Randy Winn, Shelley Barouh, Dora-Faye Hendricks, Malu Santos, Robert Peckyno, Alyssa Granlund, Mic Christian, Laura Berkowitz, Nathan Rasmussen, Pam Phillips and the many community members who hosted yard signs in their front yards.

Following is a list of the 15 local businesses who enthusiastically participated in Winter Wander 2023 and the associated clues. How many could you have solved?

Clue: Feathered flyers daily roam, for carbs and coffee at this home
Solution: The Birdhouse

Clue: Shop online, shop in store, consign your goods for sports galore
Solution: Second Gear Sports

Clue: Fine French pastry you will see at this Junction patisserie
Solution: Panterelli Patisserie

Clue: Surfing and cycling never stop at West Seattle’s oldest bike shop
Solution: Alki Bike and Board

Clue: We shall bake with gluten no more, at the sign of the aerial pinafore
Solution: Flying Apron Bakery and Cafe

Clue: Your morning drink, we will prepare, no need to stop and brush your hair
Solution: Bedhead Coffee

Clue: This Junction restaurant is sure to please, its haute cuisine is classic Lebanese
Solution: Phoenecia

Clue: If you don’t like your flab, and you want to get fit, then our awesome lab is the place you should hit.
Solution: HIIT Lab

Clue: Looking to sell? Looking to buy? Her groovy clothes are hip and fly
Solution: Funky Jane’s Consignment

Clue: Whether you’re a lefty or not, these guys will cut your hair right.
Solution: Southpaw Barber Shop

Clue: Roses are red, violets are blue, the lights on our cars are red and blue, too
Solution: SW Precinct, SPD

Clue: If you’re going round in circles, and you don’t have time to think, those funny shoes should clue you in, you’re at the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Solution: Southgate Roller Rink

Clue: Work at your own pace in our flexible office space
Solution: West Seattle Coworking

Clue: For food and drink, when you want to go out, find the sign with the bird and umlaut
Solution: Locol Kitchen and Bar

Clue: If on cider you are focused, head to Alki to the _ _ _ _ _ _
Solution: Locust Cider

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday info, with winter on the way
December 21, 2023 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday info, with winter on the way
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, December 21 – winter arrives tonight at 7:27 pm.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

‘Dense fog advisory’ alert until noon. Otherwise, partly cloudy, high near 50. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:54 am, and the sun will set at 4:20 pm. (Watch the solstice sunset with Alice!)

TRANSIT UPDATES

Water Taxi – Regular schedule (fog could lead to some delays). Check the real-time map if you’re wondering where the boat is.

Metro – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Crash-and-grab at Westwood Village
December 21, 2023 3:45 am
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

3:45 AM: Police responding to an alarm at the Westwood Village Game Stop store around 2:45 am reported finding “a vehicle in the building.” Whoever was in the vehicle was gone before officers arrived. No further details so far, but we’ll follow up.

8:47 AM: Here’s what SPD tells us: “Officers arrived and found a KIA sedan had been reversed into the entry doors of a business in the Westwood Village. Once inside the store, the burglars stole various game consoles before fleeing in a second vehicle. All three suspects were described to be Black males wearing masks, hooded sweatshirts, black pants, and black shoes. The keyholders of the business responded after the building was cleared by police. The vehicle used to break into the business was abandoned and an unreported stolen. It was impounded for evidence processing.” (“Unreported stolen” means the owner didn’t know it was gone until contacted by police.)

9:22 AM: We just went over. They’re closed while still doing inventory and cleanup.

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